New Homes & Lifestyles
Flooring Steps Into the Future - Move over vinyl tile! Bamboo, glass and even leather are just a few of the endless options when it comes to finding the perfect floor to compliment your new home. By James Brooks
When homeowners look to add something special to their new homes several scenarios come to mind. There's new kitchen cabinets and stainless-steel appliances, an organization system for the garage or an added splash of color for the bedroom walls. Though these upgrades add style and value, the home's most used feature - the floor - often fails to make the list. Homeowners are in contact with their flooring from the moment they set foot in their home to the time they go to bed. For something that gets so much use, one would think it would be a top contender for upgrading; however, it is frequently passed over in favor of more visual improvements.
Homebuyers looking for flooring to completely transform their homes are in luck; when it comes to flooring options, there are more choices than almost any other feature in the home. In places like Northern Arizona, altitude and climate changes make flooring selection a challenge, as it must not only be aesthetically pleasing but durable as well. Everyone has different tastes, of course, but here are a few trends that are dominating area homes.
If the waiting list for a Toyota Prius is any indication, the concept of "going green" is an increasingly popular one. Flooring manufacturers have already capitalized on this trend by introducing several eco-friendly options using a wide range of renewable resources. Shaw Industries offers a full line of eco-friendly carpeting with a cradle-to-cradle option. The nylon carpet generally lasts between five and seven years and when the material begins to deteriorate, the entire carpet is removed and taken back to the factory where it is recycled into all new carpeting. If hardwood is preferred, Teka flooring is another green option. The company has taken wood scraps that were originally classified as unusable and combined them into wooden planks. Other environmentally conscious options include bamboo and cork, two materials which are as plentiful as they are pleasing.
Hardwood remains the most requested floor covering in almost every market and with good reason: wood provides a classic look that goes well with almost any style of home, furniture or décor. The wide range of species, finishes and widths available can be mixed and matched to create a truly unique look in any room. Planks can create visual depth when placed with patterns like herringbone or they can be mixed with other materials to create a subtle separation of space. As for maintenance, a broom, dustpan and the occasional mop are all it takes to keep hardwood gleaming.
For those strictly interested in style, a wealth of flooring options abounds. Metal, glass and leather - materials that are often used as accent details - have come into their own as flooring for entire rooms. Metals like aluminum, stainless and galvanized steel provide a striking, industrial look to any room. The translucent, gem-like surface of glass tile reflects light wherever they are placed. Leather, which develops a natural patina over time, gives the home a warm and burnished look, but is best suited for areas that can be kept dry. Sea grass and ultra shag carpeting not only command attention, but also introduce a three-dimensional element and texture to an otherwise ordinary space.
Luxury vinyl, or PVC flooring is a successful marriage of looks and practicality. At first glance, the vinyl looks like wood, but it is considerably more heavy duty and durable than the material it emulates - a perfect choice for high-traffic households. Changing temperatures and messes from snow, rain and dirt are non-issues: vinyl is easy to clean, resistant to wood's wear-and-tear and has the ability to last much longer than other flooring options (vinyl flooring is often backed with a 12 to 20 year warranty).
Though vinyl is by far the most practical option, many homeowners are selecting flooring that complements their environment and its history. Rustic wood, natural stone and hand-scraped flooring have become increasingly popular in cabin-style homes. These materials are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts because they bring the beauty of nature into the home and mirror the area's rustic charm. Laminate flooring can also produce these looks, but comes with an added bonus: most laminates can be applied directly over existing flooring for time-crunched homeowners wanting to update the look and quality of a room.
Although most commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens and entryways, tile has begun popping up all over the home. This stain-resistant material is derived directly from the earth and its inherent qualities and colorings bring a natural harmony to any interior. Many homeowners are combining tiles of different colors and styles to highlight certain areas of a room and, since it is laid piece by piece, tile can also be positioned in a specific way to direct foot traffic into or away from a space.
Sure, a new sectional, crown molding and granite countertops are nice, but it's the right flooring that ties all other aspects of the home together. Regardless of square footage, price range or color scheme, there's a flooring option out there that will accompany and illuminate what's already in place; it's just a matter of finding the right material.
James Brooks opened Floor Coverings International (FCI) in November 2006 and currently services Flagstaff, Williams, Sedona, Prescott and Verde Valley.
